Cyclic acetals containing epoxide groups

ABSTRACT

Cyclic acetals of 2-epoxy-propoxy-pivaldehydes. They can be used by themselves, if they contain two or more epoxy groups, or as reactive diluents in a mixture with other epoxide resins, and they give mouldings of excellent mechanical properties on curing with amines or acid anhydrides.

United States Patent Renner et al.

[451 May 20, 1975 CYCLIC ACETALS CONTAINING EPOXIDE GROUPS [75] Inventors: Alfred Renner, Munchenstein; Rolf Hugi, Basel, both of Switzerland [73] Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Ardsley,

[22] Filed: Feb. 15, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 332,840

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 24, I972 Switzerland 2638/72 [52] US. Cl. 260/340.7; 260/2 EP [51] Int. Cl C07d 15/04 [58] Field of Search 260/340.7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Caldwell et al. 260/340.7

3,072,678 l/l963 Porret et al 260/340.7 3,092,640 6/1963 Mantel] et al 260/340.7 3,338,098 6/1968 Harding 260/340.7 3,621,034 11/1971 Fruhstorfer et al 260/340.7

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l,lSl,8l3 7/l963 Germany Primary ExaminerN0rma S. Milestone Attorney, Agent, or FirmVincent J. Cavalieri [57] ABSTRACT 4 Claims, No Drawings CYCLIC ACETALS CONTAINING EPOXIDE GROUPS The subject of the invention are cyclic acetals containing epoxide groups, and their use in the manufacture of mouldings.

Diepoxides of the cyclic acetal from tetrahydrobenzaldehyde and cyclohex-Z-ene-l,l-dimethylol are known from Swiss Patent Specification No. 377,328. The mouldings manufactured therefrom display mechanical properties which leave something to be desired for certain end uses.

It has now been found that cyclic acetals containing epoxide groups, of the formula 1 given below, when used by themselves or, especially if they only contain one epoxide group in the molecule, when used as reactive diluents in a mixture with other epoxide resins, give in which m represents a number from 1 to 6, or in which R denotes a group of the formula c c cu-cn -0-cu 46- 111 I 2 2 2 -cu l l on -o 2 n c on 2 3 mouldings of excellent mechanical properties on curing wherein Y represents with amines or acid anhydrides.

The compounds according to the invention, which are easily accessible, are cycloacetals of Z-epoxy- 30 OH 0 O propoxypivaldehyde and correspond to the formula I [(l -CH-, or )H-O-CH -CH-CH X CH O l l 3 35 2 CH CH O CH?. C|I CH\ Typical examples of such cycloacetals of 2-epoxy- CH 0 (I) propoxypivaldehyde are the following compounds:

0 CH O-Cll L l 3 2 I CH -Cl-l--Cl1 -OC.l -(%C1l (II CH O-Cll 0 cu o-cu' o u 2 0 (IV) .Cll' -Lll-Cl1 -Cll -Cl CH OC,ll-Cl'l OCll. CllCll O Cll O-Cll I 3 v (V) Cl-l --CllC1l O-Cll (fCll O\ 1 CH 0 (,ll (Cli 0 CH (l (.ll

O-Cll ll C-O O Cll Z 2 Cll l 1 3 1-1 C-CllCll,O-Cll C-Cl C llC-C-Cll -OCl-l Cll-Cll 2 Z 2 I g 2 2 2 3 o-cu 1 c-0 3 According to the invention, the compounds of the formula I are manufactured by reacting a hydroxycycloacetal of the formula II on 110 on c H R' p11 A-O-CH2CHCH2 in which R denotes a divalent hydrocarbon radical, of which the partial molecular weight is at most 500 and which can additionally contain ether oxygen atoms or oxygen atoms in hydroxyl or carbonyl groups, but does not possess any other reactive groups, with an epihalogenohydrin or ,B-methylepihalogenohydrin and an agent which splits off hydrogen halide.

The etherification of the hydroxycycloacetal with epichlorohydrin can be carried out according to 2 process variants, the choice of which depends on the solubility of the hydroxycycloacetal in epichlorohydrin. Readily soluble intermediate products are reacted with more than one mol of epichlorohydrin per hydroxy equivalent and with alkali hydroxide, optionally in the presence of a tetraalkylammonium halide catalyst, whilst removing water azeotropically. The alkali chloride formed in the etherification is removed by filtration or washed out and the excess epichlorohydrin is distilled off. Tetramethylammonium chloride or tetraethylammonium bromide in amounts of less than 1% can, for example, be used as the catalyst for the reaction. Instead of epichlorohydrin. epibromohydrin or methylepichlorohydrin can also be employed. in the latter case, the homologous methyl-glycidyl ethers are obtained. In a preferred embodiment, the water (water of reaction and water of solution of the alkali hydroxide) is removed by azeotropic distillation under reduced pressure.

Hydroxycycloacetals of low solubility in epichlorohydrin are appropriately reacted in dioxane solution or suspension, with equivalent amounts of epichlorohydrin in the presence of a Lewis acid (for example Bl}, SnCl SbCl and the like), as is described, for example, in DOS 1,956,490. The Z-hydroxy-3-chloropropylether thus formed is dehydrohalogenated to the glycidy] ether by means of alkali hydroxide in a second process stage. This dehydrohalogenation can be carried out in the presence or in the absence of solvents; alkali hydroxides or their concentrated aqueous solutions can be employed.

. lower Since the addition of epichlorohydrin to the 2 hydroxy-3 chloropropyl-ether group according to:

Oil

2 0-Cl-l cannot be completely suppressed in the presence of Lewis acids, chlorohydrin ethers are formed, the chlorine atoms of which cannot be eliminated with solid or aqueous alkali under the conditions of the dehydrohalogenation. Hence, the resins manufactured according to the second method in general contain 1-3% of nonhydrolysable chlorine.

The starting products of the formula II can be manufactured by reacting 1 mol of the dimeric hydroxypivaldehyde, which according to Spiith and v. Szilagyi (Berichte der deutschen chemischen Gesellschaft 76 B, page 949-956, 1943) is in the form of a cyclic semiacetal of the following formula:

in the presence of a strong acid, preferably in aqueous solution containing hydrochloric acid, at temperatures below 20C, with 2 mols of an at least dihydric alcohol of the formula with 2 mols of the hydroxycycloacetal of the formula II being obtained whilst 2 mols of water are split off.

The dimeric hydroxypivaldehyde is a crystalline compound of melting point 90-95C. Examples of polyhydric alcohols which are suitable for the cycloacetalisation: ethylene glycol, 12- and 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2- and l,3-butylene glycol, cis-1,4-butenediol, glycerine, trimethylolpropane, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, mannitol, sorbitol, 2,6- tetrahydroxymethyl-cyclohexanol or -cyclohexanone, 2,5-tetrahydroxymethylcyclopentanone and A3- cyclohexenedimethanol-l.

7 8 Depending on the structure and molecular weight, I Compound A the products according to the invention are either liquid resins of low to medium viscosity or crystalline or resinous solids of pale colour and good stability to light. Since they also display good solubility in organic sol- 5 2 011434112011 vents'they are particularl suitable for use as lac uer 7 raw materials and as impzegnating and dipping re s ins. C11 OCg CII -O (3H The solid cycloacetals of 2-epoxypropoxypivaldehyde are particularly suitable for use as components of compression moulding compositions, laminating resins and fluidised bed powders. Surprisingly, certain individual 136 g (1 mol) of pentaerythritol are dissolved in 3 compounds, for example the products according to the litre of concentrated hydrochloric acid in a sulphonaformulae IV and V, gave mouldings of high elongation tion flask with stirrer and gas outlet tube. 204- g 1 mol) at break and high tensile strength after curing with anof dimeric ,B-hydroxy-pivaldehyde are added in porhydride or amine. They are therefore suitable for use tions whilst cooling to 15 C. The mixture is stirred as plasticisers for other epoxide resin systems, whilst for 24 hours at room temperature and is subsequently the products of lowest viscosity (for example Ill) can diluted with 1 litre ofwater whilst cooling. The reaction be used as reactive diluents. product is filtered off, washed with water until free of Suitable curing agents for the cyclic acetals from acid and dried in a vacuum drying cabinet at 100C. 2-epoxypropoxypivaldehyde are above all polycarbox- 20 The crude yield is 248 g (81%). The crude product is ylic acid anhydrides such as phthalic anhydride, tetrarecrystallised from 2 litres of ethanol. 210 g (69%) of hydrophthalic anhydride and hexahydrophthalic anhypurified product of melting point 198C are obtained. dride, pyromellitic dianhydride and various others, and Analysis for C, H O (304.37): calculated C, 59.19;

also polycarboxylic acids, polymercaptans and poly- H, 9.37; found: C, 59.23; H, 9.28.

Compound B OH cu I u 3 &2 cn 2 0 3 HOCH (?CH\ /C C /Cl l-C -CH 0H CH O--Cll Cll -O CH cu CH amines, such as diethylenetriamine, triethylene- 55 g (0.25 mol) of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyloltetramine, dimethylaminopropylamine, mcyclohexanol are taken up in 500 ml of 12% strength phenylenediamine and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane. hydrochloric acid in a sulphonation flask with stirrer It is also possible to use polymerisation catalysts for the and gas outlet tube. 51 g (0.25 mol) of dimeric B-hyepoxide group, such as boron fluoride and its comdroxypivaldehyde are added in portions whilst cooling plexes with ethers, alcohols, phenols, carboxylic acids to l520C. The reaction mixture is stirred for 24 and amines, as curing agents. Furthermore, the fillers, hours at room temperature. Thereafter, the white cryspigments, fibres, plasticisers, accelerators and dyestuffs talline precipitate is filtered off and the filter residue is customary in the technology of the epoxide resins can washed with water until free of acid and dried in a vacbe added to. the curable mixtures. uum drying cabinet at 100C. 74 g (76% of theory) of The curable mixtures can also contain other epoxide the crude product are obtained. This is recrystallised resins, above all those based on bisphenol A, in any defrom 185 ml of water and 370 ml of ethanol. 64 g sired proportions. (66%) of purified product of melting point l85l90C The manufacture of the starting compounds of the are obtained.

formula II is described below for individual compounds Analysis for C H O, (388.49): calculated: C, 61.83;

(compounds A to J): H, 9.34; found: C, 61.72; H, 9.35.

Compound 0 218 g I mol) of 2.2.6'.6-tetramethylolcyclohexanone are taken up in 1.250 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid in a sulphonation flask with stirrer and gas outlet tube. 204 g 1 mol) of dimeric fi'hydroxypivaldchyde are added in portions whilst cooling to l520C. The reaction mixture is stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. Thereafter 500 ml of water are added dropwise whilst cooling and the mixture is stirred for a further 12 hours at room temperature. It is finally diluted with 2.5 litres of water and the product which has precipitated is centrifuged off. washed until free of acid and dried in vacuo at 80C. Crude yield 236 g (61% of theory). The crude yield is recrystallised from approx. 5 litres of ethanol. 193 g (50% of pure product of melting point 228226 are obtained.

Analysis for (:"H O 386.47 calculated: C. 62.15; H. 8.87; found: C. 62.31; H. 8.80.

sulphuric acid and 1.600 ml of toluene are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a simple water separator. The mixture is slowly heated to refluxing. After the theoretical amount of water 36 ml) has been separated off. which is the case after about 3 hours, the mixture is allowed to cool and is neutralised with 50 g of 10% strength aqueous sodium carbonate solution. Thereafter the toluene and water are stripped off in vacuo. the residue is taken up in methanol and the salt is filtered off. After removing the methanol in vacuo. 350 g (99% oferude product are obtained in the form of a yellow oil. Distillation yields 286 (81%) of the main fraction of boiling range 1 12-1 C at 0.01 mm Hg.

Analysis for C H O, (176.21): calculated: C. 54.51; H. 9.16: found: C548; H. 9.2. Molecular weight: 184.

According to a gas chromatogram. the product is an isomer mixture with cyelopentanone are taken up in 300 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid in a sulphonation flask with stirrer and gas outlet tube. 51 g (0.25 mol) of finely powdered dimeric ,B-hydroxypivaldehyde are added in portions whilst cooling to 1520C. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 hour at room temperature and is then diluted with 100 ml of water. after which it is stirred for a further 5 hours. For working up. the mixture is diluted with 0.5 litre of water and the product is filtered off. washed until free of acid and dried in vacuo at 60C. Crude yield 63 g (68% of theory) of white product. This is recrystallised from about 800 ml of ethanol and 55 g (6092) of pure product of melting point 230233C are obtained.

Analysis for H O (372.45): calculated: C. 61.27; H. 8.66; found: C. 61.52; H. 8.58. molecular weight: 371.

184 g (2 mols) of anhydrous glycerine. 204 g( 1 mol) of dimeric B-hydrtmypivaldeliyde. 4 ml ofconccntrated 248 g (4 mols) of anhydrous ethylene glycol. 408 g (2 mols) ofdimeric B-hydroxypivaldehyde. 8 ml ofsul phurie acid and 2.400 ml of toluene are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a simple water separator. The mixture is slowly heated to refluxing. After 4 mols of water have been separated off, which is the case after about 6 hours. the mixture is cooled and neutralised with 100 g of 10% strength sodium carbonate solution. The water phase is separated off in a separating funnel. the toluene phase is dried with sodium sulphate and the toluene is stripped off in vacuo at 50C. Crude yield: 489 g (8471) of a light yellow oil. The crude product is purified by distillation. The main fraction passes over a l081 10C at 25 mm Hg. yields 346 g (59.3% of purified product and. according to a gas ehromatogram. is about -98% pure.

Analysis for (;H,;,();, 146.18) calculated: C. 57.51: 119.68; found: C. 57.77; H. 9.66.

142 g (1 mol) of dimethylol-cyclohexene-3. 102 g (0.5 mol) of dimeric B-hydroxypivaldehyde, 2 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid and 800 ml of toluene are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a simple water separator. The mixture is slowly heated to refluxing. After 1 mol of water has been separated off, which is the case after about 8 hours, the mixture is cooled and is neutralised with 40 ml of 20% strength sodium carbonate solution. The aqueous phase is separated off in a separating funnel. The toluene phase is dried with sodium sulphate and concentrated in vacuo. Crude yield: 224 g (99% of theory) of a light oil. The crude product is distilled through a Vigreux column, whereupon the main fraction passes over at ll4ll6C at 0.14 mm Hg. 162 g (72%) of the distilled product are obtained:

Analysis for: C|3H22O3 calculated: C. 68.99; H. 9.80; found: C, 68.49; H, 9.78.

ggmpoun l ll 402 g (3 mols) of distilled 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 306 g (1.5 mols) of dimeric B-hydroxypivaldehyde, 6 ml of concentreated sulphuric acid and 2.4 litres of toluene are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a simple water separator. The mixture is slowly heated to refluxing. After 3 mols of water have been separated off, which is the case after about 6 hours, the mixture is cooled and is neutralised with 100 g of 10% strength sodium carbonate solution. The two-phase batch is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue, containing salt, is taken up in methanol, the salt is filtered off and the methanol is stripped off in vacuo. Crude yield: 653 g (100% of theory) of a yellow oil. The crude product is purifiedby distillation through a Vigreux column. After first runnings of 104 g, the main fraction passes over at l24126C at 0.07 mm Hg. Yield: 410 g (63%) of a clear, light oil.

Analysis for: C H O (218.29) calculated: C, 60.52; H, 10.16; found: C, 60.10; H, 10.20.

Compound J 63.5 g 0.25 mol) ofdipentaerythritol, 51 g 0.5 mol) of dimeric B-hydroxypivaldehyde, 1 ml of concentrated LII 12 sulphuric acid and 300 ml of toluene are initially introduced into a sulphon'ation flask'with a simple water separator. The mixture "is slowly heated to refluxing. After 9 ml of water have been-separated off, which is the case after about 6 ho'urs,the mixture is cooled and is neutralised with 20g of 10% strength sodium carbonate solution. After sepa'ratingoff the aqueous phase and drying with soditim'sulphate; the mixture is completely concentrated. 104 g (98% of theory) of a resinous residue are obtained; this is dissolved in 100 ml of chloroform and the solution is left to stand in the cold for some time. The crystals which have precipitated are filtered off and dried in vacuo at 50C. Yield: 42 g of theory) of white crystals of melting point 130C.

Analysis calculated for C H O (422.50):

Calculated:

EXAMPLE 1 Compare formula VI 173 g (0.569 mol) of the diol A, 600 ml of anhydrous dioxane and 2.5 g of SnCL, are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with reflux condenser, thermometer and dropping funnel. The mixture is heated to 100C and 105.5 g (1.138 mol) of epichlorohydrin are thereafter added dropwise over the course of three hours. After half the period of dropwise addition, a further 0.8 g of SnCl, is added. After all the epichlorohydrin has been added dropwise, the epoxide content should be less than 0.02 equivalent/kg. Thereafter, the dioxane is rapidly stripped off at 100C and 20 mm Hg, the residue is allowed to cool and 960 g of toluene are added. The mixture is heated to 50C, a Hefel separator is fitted and 109.5 g of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise over the course of two hours whilst azeotropically removing the water in a partial vacuum. The reaction is allowed to continue until the theoretical amount of water has separated off. The mixture is then allowed to cool and 960 g of water are added to dissolve the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel, washed with 48 g of 10% strength sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution and finally dried with sodium sulphate. The toluene is stripped off on a rotary evaporator at maximally C. Yield: 235 g (99% of theory), epoxide content: 3.95 equivalents/kg (82% of theory); Cl,,,,,,,: 2.40.

EXAMPLE 2 Compare formula VI] 186.5 g (0.48 mol) of the diol B, 1.5 l of anhydrous dioxane and 4 g of SnCL, are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with reflux condenser, thermometer and dropping funnel. The mixture is heated to 100C and 89.0 g (0.96 mol) of epichlorohydrin are subsequently added dropwise over the course of three hours. After half the period of the dropwise addition, a further 1 g of SnCl is added. When all the epichlorohydrin has been added dropwise, the epoxide content should be less than 0.03 equivalent/kg. Thereafter the dioxane is rapidly distilled off at 100C and -20 mm Hg and the residue is allowed to cool and taken up in 2 litres of toluene. The solution is heated to 50C, a Hefel separator is fitted and 92 g (1.15 mol) of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise over the course of two hours whilst azeotropically removing the water in a partial vacuum. The reaction is allowed to continue until the theoretical amount of water has separated off. The mixture is then allowed to cool and 2 litres of water are added to dissolve the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel, washed with 80 g of 10% strength sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution and dried with sodium sulphate. The toluene is stripped off in vacuo at maximally 100C.

Yield: 228 g (95% of theory), epoxide content: 2.50 equivalents/kg (62%); Cl z 1.3%.

EXAMPLE 3 Compare formula V111 64 g (0.165 mol) of the diol C, 500 g of anhydrous dioxane and 1.2 g of SnCl are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with reflux condenser, thermometer, dropping funnel and stirrer. The mixture is heated to 100C and 30.5 g (0.33 mol) of epichlorohydrin are added dropwise over the course of about three hours. After half the period of the dropwise addition, a further 0.5 g of SnCl is added. After completion of the addition reaction, the epoxide content of the reaction mixture should be less than 0.02 equivalent/kg. Thereafter the dioxane is rapidly stripped off at 190C and 25 mm Hg, the residue is allowed to cool and the chlorohydrin ether is taken up in 600 g of toluene. The solution is heated to 5055C, a Hefel separator is fitted and 31.7 g (0.396 mol) of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise over the course of two hours whilst azeotropically removing the water in a partial vacuum. The reaction is allowed to continue until the theoretical amount of water has separated off. After cooling, 600 g of water are added to dissolve the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel, washed with g of 10% strength sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution until neutral and then dried with sodium sulphate. The toluene is stripped off in vacuo at maximally 100C.

Yield: 81.0 g (98% of theory) of a highly viscous resin of epoxide content 2.77 equivalents/kg (69% of theory).

EXAMPLE 4 Compare formula [X 178.5 g (0.48 mol) of the diol D, 500 g of anhydrous dioxane and 2.2 g of SnCl are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with reflux condenser, thermome -OCll ter, dropping funnel and stirrer. Themixture is heated to 100C and 89 g (0.96 mol) of epichlorohydrin are added dropwise over the course of about three hours. When half the epichlorohydrin has been added dropwise, a further 0.7 g of SnCl .is added. After completion of theaddition of epichlorohydrin, the epoxide content in-the reaction mixture should be less than 0.02 equivalent/kg. Thereafter the dioxane is rapidly stripped off atl00C and 20 mm Hg and the residue is allowed to cool and is taken up in 820 g of toluene. The mixture is heated to 55C, a Hefel separator is fitted and 92 g (1.15 mols) of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise over the course of about two hours whilst azeotropically removing the water in a partial vacuum. The reaction is allowed to continue until the theoretical amount of water has separated off. After cooling, 820 g of water are added to dissolve the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel, washed with 40 g of 10% strength sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution until neutral and dried with sodium sulphate. The toluene is stripped off in vacuo at maximally 100C. Yield: 229 g (98.5%). The solid resin has an epoxide content of 3.16 equivalents/kg (76.5%). Cl z 1.5%.

EXAMPLE 5 Compare formula III 332 g (2.28 mols) of the acetal E, 1,055 g (11.4 mols) of epichlorohydrin and 11.4 g of 50% strength aqueous tetramethylammonium chloride solution are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a Hefel separator, thermometer and dropping funnel. The mixture is heated to 5254C and 201 g (2.51 mols) of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise at this temperature over the course of about two hours, whilst simultaneously removing the water azeotropically at -75 mm Hg. After complete addition of the sodium hydroxide solution, the mixture is allowed to continue reacting until the theoretical amount of water has separated off. The mixture is allowed to cool and 500 g of water are added to dissolve the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel, washed with g of 5% strength sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution until neutral and dried with sodium sulphate. The excess epichlorohydrin is stripped off completely in vacuo at 80. Yield: 390 g of a light yellow liquid of epoxide content 4.06 equivalents/kg (82%).

678 g (3 mols) of the acetal G, 1,390 g (15 mols) of epichlorohydrin and 15 g of 50% strength aqueous tetramethylammonium chloride solution are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a Hefel separator, thermometer and dropping funnel. The mixture is heated to 5456C and 264 g (3.3 mols) of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise at this temperature over the course of about two hours, whilst simultaneously removing the water azeotropieally at 7075 mm Hg. After complete addition of the sodium hydroxide solution the mixture is allowed to continue reacting until the theoretical amount ofwater has separated off. The mixture is allowed to cool and 700 g of water are added to dissolve the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel. washed with 100 g of strength aqueous sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution until neutral and dried with sodium sulphate. The excess epichlorohydrin is stripped off completely in vacuo at 80C. Yield: 800 g (94.6% ofa light yellow liquid ofepoxide content 2.64 (74.5%

b. Compare formula Xll 960 g (3.4 mols) of the resulting monoglycidyl ether (Xll') and 2,900 g of ethyl acetate are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with reflux condenser. This mixture is heated to 50C and the dropwise addition of 467 g 3.74 mols) of 61% strength aqueous peracetic acid is started. At the same time strength sodium carbonate solution is added dropwise. controlled by pH measurement using a Titrator in such a way that the pH value of the reaction mixture always remains between 5.4 and 5.6. The reaction is slightly exothermic. After 80 minutes the dropwise addition of the peracetic acid is complete and up to this point in time 200 ml of sodium carbonate solution have been consumed. After a further 4 /2 hours post-reaction at C, the conversion of peracetic acid has risen to over 95% and the consumption of sodium carbonate solution has risen to 510 ml. The batch is cooled and adjusted to pH 11 with 150 ml of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution at room temperature. The batch is subsequently separated in a separating funnel. neutralised with 650 ml of 15% strength NaH- ,PO.,so1ution, washed twice with 500 ml of water at a time. dried .over sodium sulphate and concentrated at C. and

EXAMPLE 7 Compare formula V 371 g (1.7 mols) of the diol H. 1,570 g of epichlorohydrin and 17 g of 50% strength aqueous tetramethylammonium chloride solution are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a Hefel separator, thermometer and dropping funnel. The mixture is heated to 5254C and 300 g (3.75 mols) of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise at this temperature over the course of about two hours whilst simultaneously removing the water azeotropically at -75 mm Hg. After completion of the addition of sodium hydroxide solution, the mixture is allowed to continue reacting until the theoretical amount of water has separated off. The mixture is allowed to cool and 650 g of water are added to dissolve out the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel, washed with 100 g of aqueous 5% strength sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution until neutral and dried with sodium sulphate. The epichlorohydrin is stripped off in vacuo at C. Yield: 522g (93.4 of liquid resin of epoxide content 5.42 equivalents/kg (89.5%

EXAMPLE 8 Compare formula IV 362 g (2.06 mols) of the acetal of the formula E 1,910 g (20.6 mols) of epichlorohydrin and 20.6 g of 50% strength aqueous tetramethylammonium chloride solution are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a Hefel separator. thermometer and dropping funnel. The mixture is heated to 5254C and at this temperature 364 g (4.54 mols) of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise over the course of about two hours, whilst simultaneously re 5 moving the water azeotropically at 7080 mm Hg.

After completion of the addition of the sodium hydroxide solution. the mixture is allowed to continue reacting until the theoretical amount of water has separated off. The mixture is allowed to cool and 800 g of water are added to dissolve the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel, washed with 120 g of aqueous 5% strength sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution until neutral and dried with sodium sulphate. The excess epichlorohydrin is stripped of in vacuo at 80C. Yield: 450 g (76%) of yellow liquid resin of epoxide content 6.09 equivalents/kg (88%).

EXAMPLE 9 Compare formula X1 105.5 g (0.25 mol) of the polyol J, 925 g (10 mols) of epichlorohydrin and 10 g of 50% strength aqueous tetramethylammonium chloride solution are initially introduced into a sulphonation flask with a Hefel separator, thermometer and dropping funnel. The mixture is heated to 5254C and 92 g (1.15 mols) of 50% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution are added dropwise at this temperature over the course of about one hour, whilst simultaneously azeotropically remov' ing the water from the sodium hydroxide solution, and the water of reaction, at 70-80 mm Hg. After completion of the addition of the sodium hydroxide solution. the mixture is allowed to continue to react until the theoretical amount of water has separated off. The mixture is allowed to cool and 250 ml of water are added to dissolve out the salt formed. The organic phase is separated off in a separating funnel, neutralised with g of 10% strength aqueous NaH PO solution, washed with 250 ml of water and dried over sodium sulphate. The excess epichlorohydrin is stripped off in vacuo at 80C. Yield: 147.5 g of yellow. clear resin (91% of theory) of epoxide content 4.93 equivalents/kg (80% of theory); Cl,,,,,,, 1.225%.

EXAMPLES OF APPLICATIONS Table l which follows gives the conditions under which some of the cyclic acetals. containing epoxide groups. which have been described are cured. and the properties of the cured mouldings. In this table the symbols denote the following: 60

Hcxahytlrophthalic anhydride 1 lsoplnvronctlizunine Methylnadic anhydritle Hl) Heat distortion WA Water absorption lmpact strength TS Tensile strength FB Elongation at break Deflection FS l-lexural strength 3 ,8 84,944 1 7 1 8 The glycidyl ethers are mixed with the curing agents, if or necessary at 60 to 80C, and the mixture is deaerated in a high vacuum and thereafter cast to give slabs of 1 x H- H- H size 200 X 400 x 4 mm. 2 2

Example Gly- Parts of Parts Curing conditions HD WA IS TS EB DF FS No. cidyl glycidyl of ether ether curing No. agent 1 IV 70 39.2 A hrs.120C/24hrs.l40C 33 0.54 43.2 2 3 8O 4.6" 2 IV 100 18.213 2hrs. C/ 1 hr.lC 34 0.56 73.1 20 5.3* 3 V1 34.4 A 5hrs.120C/24 hrs. 140C 63 0.18 18.3 6.7 4.4 6.1 12.6 4 V1 15.9 B 2hrs. 80C/ 1 hr.l50C 74 0.29 21.1 5.2 3.8 11 5 13.1 5 VII 68 30.6 C Shrs. l 20C/24hrs. 140C 103 0.32 19.6 2.3 l 1.0 6 V111 78 28.3 A 5hrs.120C/ 24hrs.l40C 59 0.21 1.1 1.9 1.7 1.5 2.8 7 1X 76 31.5 A 5hrs.l2()C/24hrs. 140C 66 0.23 26.0 6.2 4.4 7.3 l 1.0 8 V1 118 76.2 A 5hrs.120C/24hrs. 140C 66 0.29 17.1 6.9 4.3 10.8 10.4 9 X11 77.3 A 5hrs 80C/24 hrs.140C 94 0.32 12.7 7.7 3.7 6.6 9.3

No fracture 2. The acetal of claim 1 of the formulzi O cn. 0-611 11 CH -0 CH. 0 5 2 C /2- ;1 H C--CH-CH-O CH C-HC C CHC H -O-CH CHC1-1,.

CH O--CHr CH O CH 3 2 1 2 3 1 (VIII) 3. The acetal of claim 1 of the fdrmula 0R 0 CH O-CH CH --O CH O 1 1 H,C-CH-CH -O-CH -C-HC C CH-C-CH -O-CH -C1-1C.l, 2 2 2 2 2 2 CH O-CH CH CH H C CH (VII) We claim: in which R represents H or 1. A cyclic acetal of 2-epoXy-pr0p0xy-pivaldehyde 0f the formula CH C H C1-l 45 2 2 H Y CH ---O CH O OCH cH cH-cH-o-c1i -ct1 c H 2 0 2 cCHz O-CH L cH -o' CH H 2 2 3 2 f CH wherein X is hydrogen or methyl; and Y is 55 4. A cyclic acetal of 2-epoxy-pr0poxy-pivaldehyde of the formula 1 OH O H -CH C CH O CH 3 H CCH-CH O-CH H O CH CH -O-CH -CH H o-cH CH 1 CH H 

1. A CYCLIC ACETAL OF 2-EPOXY-PROPOXY-PIVALDEHYDE OF THE FORMULA
 2. The acetal of claim 1 of the formula
 3. The acetal of claim 1 of the formula
 4. A cyclic acetal of 2-epoxy-propoxy-pivaldehyde of the formula 